IRCTC changes rules for user IDs linked to Aadhaar, allows booking of 24 tickets a month

In a statement, the Ministry of Railways said that one of the passengers among the 24 to be booked train tickets must be verifiable through his or her Aadhaar.

The Indian Railways on Monday announced that people whose user ID of the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is linked to Aadhaar can now book a maximum of 24 tickets a month, while those whose IDs are not Aadhaar-linked can purchase as many as 12 tickets.

In April, the IRCTC revised the online ticket booking process using both the website and the app. It made mandatory for passengers to get their phone numbers as well as email IDs verified before booking train tickets. (HT File/Representative image)

Earlier, IRCTC users with their accounts not linked to Aadhar could book a maximum of six tickets, while the accounts connected with Aadhar were allowed a maximum of 12 bookings.

In a statement, the Ministry of Railways said that the move was aimed to “facilitate passengers” during the process of booking tickets.

However, one of the passengers whose tickets are among those 24 to be booked must be verifiable through Aadhar.

“At present, maximum six tickets in a month can be booked online on IRCTC website or application by a user ID which is not Aadhaar linked and maximum 12 tickets in a month can be booked online on IRCTC website/app by a user ID which is Aadhaar linked and that one of the passengers in the ticket to be booked is verifiable through Aadhaar,” the statement by the Railways read.

Railways officials told news agency PTI that the move will be helpful for frequent travellers and also those using the same IRCTC account to book train tickets for family members.

Recently, the IRCTC revised the online booking process using both its website and the app. It made mandatory for passengers to get their phone numbers as well as email IDs verified before booking train tickets.

Here's how to verify your phone numbers and email ids:

Step 1: Go to the IRCTC website or open the app.

Step 2: Go to the verification window.

Step 3: Enter the registered mobile number and email ID.

Step 4: An option to verify the phone number and email ID will pop up along with an edit button.

Step 5: After adding required details, a one-time password (OTP) will be sent to the registered mobile number or email ID for verification.

Step 6: Add these details and complete the verification process for booking train tickets.

Now, let's look at the procedure to book train tickets on IRCTC website or app:

Step 1: Visit the IRCTC portal or app.

Step 2: Use your credentials such as username and password to login.

Step 3: Enter the source station name, date of journey and other details that are shown on the screen.

Step 4: Select the train and click on ‘Book Now’.

Step 5: Enter basic details, including passenger name, gender, berth preference, age, and more.

Step 6: Choose the mode of payment to purchase the tickets.

Step 7: Once the transaction process is successfully completed, IRCTC will share the booking confirmation and journey details on the registered mobile number and email address.